DC Pulse


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    Coalition Rips Trump Deputy AG's Claim Of 'War' With Judges

    A group of former federal judges on Thursday condemned what they called "inflammatory remarks" last week by Deputy U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche detailing the U.S. Department of Justice's "war" with "rogue activist" judges.

  • Minn. Chief Federal Judge To Take Semi-Retired Status In July

    Chief Judge Patrick Schiltz of the District of Minnesota will take semi-retired status next summer, according to an update on Thursday from the federal judiciary.

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    Holland & Knight Adds Education Dept. Senior Adviser In DC

    Holland & Knight LLP has hired a former senior adviser for the U.S. Department of Education, who joined the firm in Washington, D.C., and will provide counsel to local governments on federal policy and funding matters.

  • Judge Casts Doubt On Legitimacy Of Halligan's Appointment

    A federal judge in Virginia said Thursday that Attorney General Pam Bondi couldn't have reviewed the full transcript of the grand jury proceedings that netted an indictment of James Comey before ratifying the charges against the former FBI director because the U.S. Department of Justice didn't have them at the time.

  • NY Gov't Ethics Watchdog Called To Testify Against AG James

    The federal government subpoenaed the New York State Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government on Wednesday to testify in its case against New York Attorney General Letitia A. James.

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    In-House Tax Controversy Director Joins Miller & Chevalier

    The former director of tax controversy at Cleveland, Ohio-based real estate company GBX Group LLC has moved to Miller & Chevalier Chtd.'s Washington, D.C., office, where she'll continue working on a range of tax-related matters.

  • Justices Won't Block 5th Circ. Order On Child's Removal

    The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday denied an emergency application to stay a Fifth Circuit decision that would allow an asylum-seeker's 7-year-old daughter to be deported to Venezuela.

  • Ex-CFPB Enforcers Launch Consumer Litigation Project

    Three former enforcement attorneys of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau have joined the advocacy group Protect Borrowers as senior fellows to launch a new litigation project focused on the "weaponization of corporate power that is plunging working people into financial crisis."

  • House Looks To Undo Sens.' Ability To Sue Over Phone Info

    House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said Wednesday that House Republicans will be introducing stand-alone legislation to repeal a provision tucked into the government funding package the Senate passed Monday that would allow Republican senators investigated by special counsel Jack Smith to sue for damages.

  • Justices Fret Over Giving Judges More First Step Act Power

    The U.S. Supreme Court raised concerns Wednesday about spurring a flood of compassionate release motions from prisoners if it allows judges to have wide discretion to find "extraordinary and compelling reasons" to pare down sentences for criminal defendants under the First Step Act.

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    Hilgers Graben Revamps Leadership Structure, Changes Name

    Hilgers Graben PLLC said Tuesday that the commercial litigation and discovery counsel services firm has new leadership and a shortened name that reflects both its current status and future goals.

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    Where Are Top Firms Bringing On The Most New Partners?

    Lateral partner hiring data for the last five years paints a surprisingly static portrait of where top law firms are making the most hires, even as they warm up to secondary and tertiary legal markets.

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    Baker McKenzie Accuses Ex-Atty Of Playing 'Cat And Mouse'

    An ex-associate at Baker McKenzie's Washington, D.C., office has been accused by her former employer of playing a "cat and mouse game" to avoid getting served a defamation complaint filed in October by the office and its managing partner.

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    McDermott Exploring Selling Stake To Private Equity

    McDermott Will & Schulte on Wednesday acknowledged it is fielding interest from private equity investors, a development that underscores how some of the legal industry's largest players are considering moving to a nontraditional business model.

  • Ex-Energy Department General Counsel Joins Torridon Law

    The general counsel of the U.S. Department of Energy during President Donald Trump's first term has joined Torridon Law PLLC, a Washington, D.C., boutique launched in 2022 by Trump's former Attorney General William Barr and former Facebook general counsel Ted Ullyot.

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    Crowell & Moring's Asia IP Practice Co-Leader Joins Pillsbury

    Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP has hired the co-head of Crowell & Moring LLP's Asia intellectual property specialty practice, the firm said in an announcement this week.

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    Longtime Bracewell Partner Joins White & Case In DC

    A former Bracewell LLP partner who spent nearly 16 years there advising clients on the regulatory aspects of energy infrastructure transactions and on related matters has joined White & Case LLP's Washington, D.C., office as a partner, the firm has announced.

  • Texas Pick Among 3 Formally Tapped For District Court Seats

    President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday three nominees for federal judgeships in Texas, Arkansas and Alaska, which have been anticipated for a few weeks.

  • IP Law Daily Columnist Starts New Copyright Litigation Firm

    A D.C. attorney with BigLaw chops who has spent more than four years writing a daily column on U.S. copyright law for Intellectual Property Law Daily has hung out his own shingle.

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    Law360 MVP Awards Go To Top Attorneys From 76 Firms

    The attorneys chosen as Law360's 2025 MVPs have distinguished themselves from their peers by securing significant achievements in high-stakes litigation, complex global matters and record-breaking deals.

  • Trump, Ill. Debate 'Regular Forces' In National Guard Case

    President Donald Trump invoked the founders' distrust of standing armies in a bid to convince the U.S. Supreme Court he can deploy National Guard troops to Chicago for immigration enforcement, but Illinois and the city contend the use of guardsmen is intended as a backup plan. 

  • Senate Committee To Investigate Impeachment Of Judges

    The Senate Judiciary Committee will have a hearing next week to consider impeachment of "rogue" federal judges, according to an announcement on Monday.

  • Justices Doubt GEO's Immunity Claim In Forced Labor Suit

    The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday appeared reluctant to adopt GEO Group's interpretation of an 85-year-old ruling as extending immunity to contractors facing lawsuits, as the private prison operator stands accused of forcing immigrant detainees to clean a detention facility. 

  • 'Legal Fiction' May Doom Rastafarian's Haircut Suit

    The U.S. Supreme Court appeared to doubt Monday that a Rastafarian could hold Louisiana prison guards personally responsible for allegedly violating his religious rights when they forcibly shaved off his dreadlocks, with the justices splitting ideologically over whether a federal law gave the guards enough warning about their potential liability. 

  • Judge To Review Grand Jury Materials In Comey Indictment

    A Virginia federal judge said he would review grand jury materials in camera to see if any privileged information was used to secure the indictment of ex-FBI Director James Comey on charges of lying to Congress.

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Expert Analysis

  • Leading Your Law Firm's Creation Of A New Practice Group Author Photo

    Marjorie Peerce and Peter Jaslow at Ballard Spahr discuss the challenges of building a new law firm practice group from the ground up, and how sustained commitment, communication and collaboration are the key ingredients for success.

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    Ask A Mentor: How Do I Relay Shortcomings To Associates? Author Photo

    Michael Cohen at Duane Morris discusses the best ways to articulate how an associate is not meeting expectations, and why documentation of performance management is crucial for their growth and protecting the firm from discrimination suits.

  • 10 Principles For Effective Partner Reward Systems Author Photo

    Several forces are reshaping partners’ expectations about profit-sharing, and as compensation structures evolve in response, firms should keep certain fundamentals in mind to build a successful partner reward system, say Michael Roch at MHPR Advisors and Ray D'Cruz at Performance Leader.

  • Why Interdisciplinarity Is Key To Designing The Future Of Law Author Photo

    The legal profession faces challenges that urgently demand new solutions, and lawyers and firms can address this by leaning on other industries that have more experience practicing, teaching and incorporating innovation into their core business and service models, says Jennifer Leonard at the University of Pennsylvania.

  • Incorporating ADA Guidance Into Lawyer Wellness Movement Author Photo

    The Americans with Disabilities Act and rules of professional conduct may help the legal profession promote lawyer well-being by focusing on mental conditions' actual impact, rather than on associated stereotypes, says Alex Long at the University of Tennessee College of Law.

  • Series

    Ask A Mentor: How Can New Partners Generate Business? Author Photo

    Christine Wong at MoFo discusses how newly elected partners can prioritize business development by creating a strategic plan with the firm's marketing team and strengthening relationships with professional and personal networks.

  • 9 Writing Tips From The Justices' Opinions Last Term Author Photo

    Hidden in the U.S. Supreme Court’s opinions from the last term are each justice’s talents for crafting choice turns of phrase, highlighting best practices for attorneys to jump-start their own writing, says Ross Guberman at BriefCatch.

  • What Web3 Means For Lawyers' Ethical Duties Author Photo

    As law firms embrace Web3 technologies by accepting cryptocurrency as payment for legal fees, investing in metaverse departments and more, lawyers should remember their ethical duties to warn clients of the benefits and risks of technology in a murky regulatory environment, says Heidi Frostestad Kuehl at Northern Illinois University College of Law.

  • NY's Cybersecurity CLE Rule Is A Sign Of Changing Times Author Photo

    New York's recently announced requirement that lawyers complete cybersecurity training as part of their continuing legal education is a reminder that securing client information is more complicated in an increasingly digital world, and that expectations around attorneys' technology competence are changing, says Jason Schwent at Clark Hill.

  • Opinion

    Law Firms Stressing Work-Life Balance Are Missing The Mark Author Photo

    Law firms struggling to attract and retain lawyers are institutionalizing work-life balance through hybrid work models, but such balance is elusive in a client services and tech-dependent world, underscoring the need for firms to instead aim for attorney empowerment and true balance within — not outside — the workplace, says Joe Pack at Pack Law.

  • A Law Student's Guide To Thriving As A Summer Associate Author Photo

    Summer associates are expected to establish a favorable reputation and develop genuine relationships in a few short weeks, but several time management, attitude and communication principles can help them make the most of their time and secure an offer for a full-time position, says Joseph Marciano, who was a 2022 summer associate at Reed Smith.

  • Burnout Prevention Requires Effort From Attys And Firms Author Photo

    To avoid physical and emotional exhaustion, attorneys must respect their own and their colleagues' personal and professional boundaries, but law firms must also play a role in discouraging burnout culture — especially if they are struggling with attorney retention, say attorneys at Lowenstein Sandler.

  • How I Owned My Power As An Asian American Woman In Law Author Photo

    Gibson Dunn's Debra Yang shares the bumps in her journey to becoming the first female Asian American U.S. attorney, a state judge and a senior partner in BigLaw, and how other women can face their self-doubts and blaze their own trails to success amid systemic obstacles.

  • Successful In-House Alt Legal Services Start With 4 Questions Author Photo

    Law firms that are considering creating an in-house alternative legal service provider should focus not on recapturing revenue otherwise lost to outside vendors, but instead consider how a captive ALSP will better fulfill the needs of their clients and partners, say Beatrice Seravello and Brad Blickstein at Baretz & Brunelle.

  • 3 Reasons To Embrace Jargon In Legal Marketing Content Author Photo

    Ignore what you've been told about jargon — adding insider industry terms to your firm's marketing and business development content can persuade potential clients that you have the specialized knowledge they can trust, says Wayne Pollock at Law Firm Editorial Service.

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